Jesse Dochnahl is a saxophonist, educator, and the director of bands at Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana, where he was awarded 2024 Educator of the Year by the Missoula Education Foundation. He held similar positions as director of bands at Big Sky High School, C.S. Porter Middle School, Sheboygan Falls High School (WI), and served as Instructor of Saxophone at Lawrence University and the University of Montana. Jesse was awarded National First Prizes in the MTNA Woodwind Young Artist and Chamber Music National Competitions. He earned degrees from Lawrence University and the University of Illinois where he completed a Master of Music. Jesse lives in Missoula, Montana, with his wife, Caitlin Cisler, their cat Finn, and a garage full of bikes, backpacks, and skis.

NAfME Virtual Symposium on Music Education and Students with Disabilities and/or Living in Poverty. Saturday, October 10, 2026. A free, virtual event for music educators
book cover for Differentiation in Music Education. Music Education for Every Learner. Save 30% Use code RAPONI30 on Bloomsbury.com until 11/15/26. Learn more. Logos for NAfME and Bloomsbury Academic.
Read the June Teaching Music magazine. Cover art for June 2026 issue of Teaching Music